Class of '40
January 2010

70-Year Reunion ― May 29, 2010

Dear Class of ’40,

Inspired by the “Shine On” theme of the Gustavus Library Associates’ Royal Affair 2009, we asked you remaining 20 class members: “Who ‘shined on you’ during your undergraduate years at Gustavus?” Here are some of your responses:

Dale Lund: I transferred to GAC my junior year from a college ‘out West’. I found a warmth here that my former school was missing. I remember Dr. George Hall, who once said, ‘The Prophets weren’t all that they were cracked up to be!’

Mildred Gulberg Gilbertson: My family. I’m so thankful that so many of my family members could attend Gustavus.

Wilfrid Olmon: I went to GAC because it was close to home, but also because it was a college of the Augustana Lutheran Church.

Newton Johnson: I had great comradeship with the fellows in the dorm; some have been life-long friends.

Ruby Fihn Lornell: So many family and friends shined on me during those years, I can’t name them all. But grateful I will always be!

Evie Nordstrom Johnson: My French teacher, Mrs. Myrum, encouraged me that I had the talent and energy to give it my all in the study of French and French culture. It inspired my life-long interest in that country.

Carl Oscar Lofgren: The Sponberg Family─Ray ’37, my roommate; Harold, Best Man at my wedding to LaVerne (Johnson ’42); an Evelyn ‘Ma’ Sponberg Young ’33. They often included me in their family gatherings and holidays when I couldn’t get back home to Duluth.

Juanita Dahlberg Marcotta: Music professor, Adolph Nelson, taught me the thrill of playing pipe organ. Biology student teacher, Ralph Erickson ’35, who taught botany, influenced my post-graduate work at U of M leading me to edit and write multiple books on the subject. Mrs. Victoria Johnson, GAC librarian, took me on as her assistant. There I first encountered TIME magazine reporting on Hitler’s invasion of Poland at the beginning of WWII. Mrs. Johnson taught me the Dewey Decimal System that served me so well in later research work. Doc Pete’s history classes led me to jobs as WAC and Military Intelligence Service at the Pentagon during WWII and later work with League of Women Voters. Dr. George Hall’s Christianity course my senior year opened my eyes to other great world religions. Through Doc Carlton’s unique ways he taught me to appreciate how Shakespeare’s stories show human nature hasn’t changed much over the centuries. And special thanks to Mr. Sjostrand, the GAC treasurer, who was in charge of giving out student jobs during the Depression. With tears in his eyes he called me in to say my mother had written him a thank you note for giving me a job. GAC with its liberal arts education has enriched my life and its star shines above all others.

This reminder and challenge to all Class of ’40 Members: This year, 2010, we will celebrate our 70th Class Reunion! Our reunion at Gustavus will be celebrated on May 29, 2010. We invite and challenge all remaining 20 members of the Class of ’40 to make a special effort to join us and attend this 70th Year Reunion.

A recent Minneapolis Star-Tribune feature article profiled seniors in their 70s, 80s, and 90s who continue to challenge themselves to overcome obstacles. Our Class of ’40 has triumphed over The Great Depression, World War II, assassinations, 9/11, and the garden variety hardships of living 90+ years. Surely we can rise up and attend our reunion and show Gustavus the highest attendance for a 70th reunion!

Still Shining in our 70th Year after Graduation,

Carl Oscar Lofgren

Evelyn Strom Pearson

1940 Co-Class Agents

Campus News

Gustavus gets High Rankings

Gustavus Adolphus College is listed as the 33rd best liberal arts college in the country according to a new set of college rankings released on Thursday, September 3, by Washington Monthly magazine. The publication states on its website that schools were ranked based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and Ph.D.s), and service (encouraging students to give something back to their country).

Gustavus once again ranked among the top 100 liberal arts colleges in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings. Gustavus moved up eight places from last year’s rankings to 80th on the magazine’s “Best Liberal Arts College’s” list. Gustavus is one of six Minnesota colleges that placed in the top 100 in this year’s rankings.

Martin Luther King Day Events

In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaking at Chapel on Monday, Jan. 18 will be C. T. Vivian, a minister, author, and close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. during the American Civil Rights Movement. Daily chapel will begin at 10 a.m., with Rev. Vivian speaking from 10:20-11 a.m. and answering questions from 11-11:15 a.m.

“Come on You Gusties” Breakfast

All Gusties are welcomed and invited to the breakfast, third Wednesday of the month, 8-9:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, Minneapolis-Park Place, 1500 Park Place Boulevard. Cost is $10 at the door. Upcoming speaker: Margaret Anderson Kelliher ’90, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.